#and theres something so.. nice in his gaze. he has a flat expression but it doesnt read as cold to me. ive never analyzed his

[vulpine-gentleman]

just. just look at him. i love his face i love his design idk what i'd even imagine him looking like without this design...

[angrylizardjacket]

when i said it i thought it was true [1] {Ben Hardy}

Anon asked: could you do an imagine where ben is the reader’s ex and they are somehow working together on the set of bo rhap and they fall in love all over again ☺️ could you make it angst-y and then end with fluff? i love your writing so much!!

Anon asked: could you do an imagine where the reader is in bo rhap, maybe playing as one of roger’s gfs or something and she kind of falls in love with ben while filming the scenes with him as roger 💖 very fluffy pls :D

A/N: 3124 words. Super AU version of BoRhap being filmed in the fic. There’s gonna be another part, that will fill the prompts better. This might end up being a series. I hope you enjoy. Feedback would be nice.

When your manager rings you, telling you that you’d landed a part in the Queen Biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, you were elated. Freddie Mercury was a bit of a personal hero of yours, and to be a part of his story on the big screen, it was sort of a dream come true. 

In your first meeting, you sign a nondisclosure agreement, and you’re given the latest draft of the script to start learning, as well as a character brief. The script calls your character ‘Amanda’, the girlfriend of Roger Taylor who he eventually realises he wants to settle down with. You’d seen pictures of young Roger Taylor, you wouldn’t lie, you were excited for the role. Honestly, even today he was still quite a fox.

The point is, you were excited to have a fun time on set with a pretty blonde, make some new connections, and earn some good money. Some really good money.

The other shoe drops when you’re flicking through Instagram, and one of the stan accounts you follow has posted a leaked screenshot of the proposed cast list, and there’s your name, right beside the name of the last person you wanted to pretend to be in love with. Ben Hardy; pretty blonde extraordinaire, and your ex-boyfriend.

The table read is... awkward. 

The two of you are sat next to each other, and barely spoke two words to each other. You feel unprofessional the whole time, but you’d rather be anywhere else in the world, and the delivery of some of your lines falls a little flat. The director casts a concerned look between yourself and Ben as you rattle of what’s meant to be banter like you’re reading the news paper.

“They’ve got no damn chemistry; it’s like watching a celebrity divorce hearing.” When the Director vents to one of the producers in the hall outside after the reading, you manage to catch it where you’re just about to come out of the bathroom.

“They’ll be better on set, I promise, it’s just jitters.” She tries to soothe his nerves, and they’re off soon after, and you’re left with a cold, sinking sensation in your stomach.

“You’re Y/N, aren’t you? How are you finding the set?” The guy who greets you on your first day on the Eastenders set smiles with such casual ease it feels like you’ve known him for a while, instead of having just met him.

“Yeah, that’s me.” You agree with a quick nod, rocking back on your heels as you gaze around the space, trying not to look at him for too long. “It’s a bit overwhelming.” Actually, what’s overwhelming is that he’s talking to you. He’s Ben fucking Hardy, pretty-boy on the soap-opera scene, and he’s talking to you on your first day.

“Yeah, you’ll be right though; if you need any help or anything, just give us a yell, yeah?” And you realise he probably doesn’t know who you’re playing, or how you’re involved in that Season’s arc, but you certainly did.

“I didn’t know you could play drums.” You’re trying to be casual when you say it, but you see Ben tense where he’s sitting on a sofa in the rehearsal room, script and pencil in hand.

“I can now, that’s all that really matters.” He’s giving off such strong ‘please leave me alone’ vibes that it almost hurts, and you have to push through the knot in your stomach and sit down next to him.

“Ben, we need to at least be civil.” You say quietly, and he looks at you, expression a little forlorn.

“Y/N, we are civil, and we’ve done this before. Let’s just keep it professional, okay?” His tone leaves little room for argument, and you nod in agreement with a small smile, and pull out your phone, waiting for the rehearsal director.

“Hey there, baby, I don’t think I’ve seen you around here; I know I’d recognise your face.” You purr, running your hand delicately over the collar of Ben’s shirt, as his eyes widened and he spluttered to form a sentence, just as the script had told him to. 

Your character was more a plot device than anything, when Ben’s character is at a low point, his main romance is on a break, and he meets you, a temptress in all black. Your job is to give his character a realisation, he starts as your cocaine dealer when his supplier can’t make the drop, and he falls for you. Depending on the audience reaction, you knew the producers were waiting to see if they kill you off or have you recover from your addiction. The point is, your fate’s uncertain at the end of the Season, and Ben’s character realises he has to get out of the drug trade.

“I’ve got something for you, from Oskar. Can we go somewhere more private?” When he speaks, it’s with surprising confidence, and he steps up from the bar stool and into your space, smiling as your face lights up. The director calls cut after a moment, and you step back, smile sliding to something genuine as an assistant comes in and straightens your loose, black silk shirt, and they reset the shot for a new take.

“Ben, could you try less flustered? You’re here to deliver drugs, you’re not a schoolboy.” The director’s voice was kind as she came up to the two of you, and Ben agreed easily before she turned to you. “Great job, Y/N, don’t be afraid to be more even more forward, if you feel it.” As soon as you nod in understanding, she absconds, and you half laugh.

“If I was any more forward I’d be in your lap.” You snickered, voice quiet as you dipped your head to hide how you were faintly flustered. Ben was quiet, just watching you for a moment, but before you noticed, the director called for everyone to standby.

“I’m after Maggie, do you know where I could find her?” Ben starts as soon as the cameras start rolling, brow furrowed as he leans across the bar to speak to the bartender, and that’s your cue to enter the scene.

“Hey there, baby, I don’t think I’ve seen you around here; I know I’d recognise your face.” And when you say it this time, he smirks back at you, a little cocky, and you can feel the way it makes your heart flutter and you know it’s not as fake as it should be.

Before filming even starts, the producers have essentially forced you and Ben into bonding sessions which, if this were several years ago, would have just been dates. Now they’re awkward and tense, and you tend to bring heavily highlighted scripts.

“I saw you in that Wes Anderson movie last year. It was a really good performance, one of your best.” He offers over coffee. The idea that he’d kept up with enough of your work to label one ‘your best’ has you a little shocked, and something in your heart warms as you thank him softly.

It’s gotten easier to hang around with him, and it’s even easier to pretend to be in love with him in rehearsals. It’s like riding a bike, how easy it is to let yourself smile and lean into him, to let the banter flow easily between the two of you, fond jabs that edge on insulting coming as easily as breathing.

Joe mentions that he thought the two of you worked together before, and when you reply that you’d dated for almost a year, he goes very quiet, eyes going wide. After a beat, he admits it explains a lot.

“X-Men did you real dirty.” You’re half paying attention to an interview with Roger Taylor that the two of you had been instructed to watch together. You’re both in his trailer, sitting on opposite ends of the sofa as you watch in almost complete silence.

“What?” He asks, after a beat, your words having taken a moment to process.

“Killing you off like that; they could have gotten so much mileage out of your character.” The way you say it is far too well thought out to be an idle thought. Ben smirked.

“You just liked the leather pants.” He muttered, but you’re silence is answer enough. You know he sees your embarrassed smile, but you can’t bring yourself to deny it.

“Hey, do you wanna grab a drink after and go through notes and blocking and stuff?” You’re shooting your third episode, and you’re far more comfortable on set by now. Agreeing easily, you let Ben drive the two of you to what he claims is the best pub in town, and you sit in one of the more secluded booths to talk.

It turns out he’s just as much a fan of you as you are of him; you’re known more for your bit-parts in long-running series, it seems like the only show you hadn’t been a part of so far had been Eastenders, it was only a matter of time. It’s an innocent night, true to his word, all you do is talk, and discuss the script. There is one part of the upcoming script that has you a bit nervous. 

“Listen, honestly just go for it; it’s not meant to be sweet or anything, I’m literally taking coke from you.” You tell him, fidgeting, and he’s hums thoughtfully.

“You sure? We can talk to the director, I’m sure-” He offers, but you laugh to hide your nervousness.

“Nah, let’s knock it out of the park, the script says go for it so just go for it.” You assured him, heart rate already quickening at the mere thought of it. 

The next day, before the scene, the director comes over to talk you through it, making sure that if anything becomes uncomfortable, that you can talk to her. Both you and Ben assure her that it’s fine.

“You’re far too cute for this line of work.” You say as you hold a baggie of “cocaine” up to the light, smile playing on your lips.

“Cute? Ouch, you really know how to wound a man, you know.” He says, leaning back against the sofa in the hallway of the grubby hotel your character was staying in. He’s watching you with interest, small smile playing on his lips.

“Cute’s not a bad thing, baby, but you look like you should be making coffees or playing football in the sun, not here, not with me.” And you tap out a little of the powder onto your hand, pretending to snort it before you turn to him, his expression dark and hungry, and he kisses you, aggressive, almost desperate, and you lean into it, almost forget you’re playing a role with his hand on the back of your neck. When he lets go, when he pulls away, your eyes are still closed and you chase his lips for a moment. Eyes flickering open, you see him smirking down at you where he’s standing, and you both know it wasn’t entirely acting.

“You don’t know anything about me.” He growls, and you know you have to smile like you’re into it, like it’s a challenge, but instead, you duck your gaze, giving a small laugh and wiping at the nostril you’d just “snorted cocaine” through, before looking up at him through your eyelashes.

They call cut, and the director announces, almost a little awed, that she’s pretty sure they got the the take, actually says she’s not sure if she could getting a better take if they tried again. Ben seems far too pleased with himself. 

“They want us to tell the public we’re together.” You’re resting your head on Ben’s chest laying at the back of the tour-bus set, and his hand is resting on your waist, which is bare for the crop top and booty shorts they’ve put you in.

“Yeah, I heard.” He replies, voice equally quiet. “I think we’ve got a meeting about it tomorrow morning.” Gwil and Rami are actually playing scrabble at the front of the bus, and Joe is talking to Singer, the director.

“It’s a bad idea.” You’re so frank that you feel Ben freeze, and you heave a sigh. “It’s good for the movie, but Ben...” You trail off, and you feel it when he forces himself to relax. “It wouldn’t be real, it would just be weird.”

“Y/N, we’re actors.” He says very pointedly, and when you turn, resting your chin on his chest, he looks tired, a little exasperated. “It’s just a business deal.” He assured, and you let out a low, thoughtful grumble. 

“We’ll discuss it tomorrow.” You allow, and he nods once, shifting to a more comfortable position, and you go back to resting your head on his chest, eyes fluttering closed as Singer called for the shot to be reset and a bunch of people came and straightened your clothes, and touched up your makeup, all without you having to move much.

You agree to the terms set forth in the meeting easily, the story being that your relationship rekindled on set, and that you were now madly in love, mirroring the relationship you were portraying on screen.

“Wait, does that mean-?” Ben leans forward in his chair, with his heart in his throat as he followed their logic, thinking through the plot of the movie. “Like engaged?” He asked.

“Seems a bit fast.” You agreed, voice level enough that someone might mistake you for calm rather than internally freaking out, and your managers shared a look.

“There will be a public proposal during or after the world premiere, that’s up to you both, and after the movie is out on DVD, you can go your separate ways.” They assured, but your mouth fell open.

“You know he left me for X-Men, right?” You splutter, and Ben’s eyes widen as he turns to you with a scoff.

“You’re the one who said the distance was too much for us while I was in Cairo.” He snapped, and you threw your hands in the air.

“I was offering to come and stay with you instead, but you said you were too busy!” That was enough to shut him up, his mouth snapping closed as he turned away sharply, huffing out a resigned sigh.

“We have a few brands and restaurants who are interested in sponsoring, and the producers are willing to increase both your salaries if you go through with it for the full duration.” Your manager informed you both carefully, and you and Ben shared a resigned look.

“Fake intend to marry me for like three months?” He asked, voice low and bitter, and after heaving a long sigh, you look to your managers,

“Fine.”

“I think I love you.” Ben’s character shows up at your character’s door, and you open it in a silk robe. 

“Hello to you too.” You laughed, but he’s so serious, so sincere, and when he doesn’t flinch, doesn’t offer anything else, you step up to him, pressing your lips to his, and he wraps his arms around you, hands sliding against the silk over your hips, and you pull back.

“You’re too sweet for me, baby,” voice so low it’s barely a whisper, he’s the one who chases your lips this time, but your catch his chin, and his eyes open. 

“You’re high.” He says softly, voice raw and a little desperate.

“And you’re my dealer.” You push him back gently, going to close the door and his expression turns angry.

“That doesn’t mean anything; I love you, Maggie.” His words hang heavily in the air, but before you can respond, they call for cut. You’re told to play it more like it hurts to try and turn him down, and you agree, smiling and nodding all the while. Everyone sets up for another take and you close the door.

When you kiss him this time, his hands are holding your face, and you’ve got your arms around his neck, and it’s like the world falls away from around you. It’s not acting now, hasn’t been for weeks, almost months now, not since he’d asked you out officially. Every time you kiss him you’re desperate to drown in his embrace, and he kisses you like it’s just the two of you, no cameras, no scripts.

“You’re-” and he cuts you off with another quick kiss, which has you laughing a little sadly, “Peter you’re too sweet for me.” He rests his forehead against yours, heaving a sigh.

“I know you’re high.” He says gently, and you don’t push him away this time, just lean back, your finger lifting his chin.

“And you’re my dealer.” You tell him, expression falling.

“That doesn’t mean anything, that doesn’t matter; I love you.” And you know that in that moment, the words mean so much more than the script, than these characters, than the show; he loves you. Ben loves you.

You avoid him, outside of filming, until you actually get a call from your manager telling you you’re contractually obligated to be seen in public together at least once a week. Even while filming you’re short with him, and he’s quick to get away from you the moment he doesn’t need to be around you, which was getting to be pretty bad, seeing as how you had been blocking a sex scene.

After the call, you and Ben get a drink. It’s awkward at first, though that’s unsurprising. After a long sip of his beer, he pats his thighs where he’s sitting in the armchair across from you. You make a face at him, shaking your head. 

“It’ll look less suspicious than if we’re shouting at each other across the table.” He hissed, and you groaned, obliging and crossing to sit yourself in his lap. He’s warm and secure, and he wraps his arm around you like it’s second nature. “Let’s not make this weird.” He said gently, and you nod.

“As for tomorrow’s shoot,” you said softly, leaning in to make sure no-one else heard, and he nodded, humming softly, “we’re professionals, and,” after a beat you cleared your throat pointedly, “it’s not like we haven’t done it before.”

“Not in front of a camera crew we haven’t.” Ben says with a smirk, and you snicker in agreement. “It’s gonna go fine; this is all gonna go fine, I promise.” And when you raise your eyebrows at him in surprised question, he just laughs softly, and brings you in for a chaste kiss. “It’s only until the DVD’s released.” He assures you, and you let your expression fall, already weary.

“Ben, that’s over a year away.”

[jimmyscanongf]

Coldcolor (1)

Pairing: DBH RK900 x Reader

Warnings: cursing, alcohol mention, future violence, angst

Summary: The android revolution is dead, and the Detroit is picking up the pieces. Life is grey and uneventful for the reader in the aftermath, despite their hand in quelling the revolution. All until a ghost from their (recent) past turns up beside their desk, and a new case reveals that deviancy may not be quite as gone as the country thought.

Word Count: 3516

Author’s Note: YEEEEHAW its here!!! the beginning of my fic for @connorshero‘s 1.1k milestone!!!!! this was gonna be a oneshot but - damn ive got too many ideas for this racked up from all the time i took getting down to writing it that i just did not want to leave out. i ended up writing this first part, but i’m gonna have to do some srs planning for this in the next little while. i hope you all enjoy!!! as always, any feedback is very very much appreciated!! AS A NOTE: we call nines “connor” in this one cause rk800 connor is like,,, dead :( and theres no need to differentiate between the two

Prompt: “Oh, I hate you. I hate you… because if I didn’t… then I’d love you. And love— it’s a weakness, and I’ll never be weak again.”

It only took a few weeks for the country to begin picking itself back up. The androids had tried to stage a revolution – and failed, and the government was swift in (exterminating? recycling?) the remaining androids. Deviant or not. Not a single blue-blooded… entity that had been activated prior to a certain point was spared the wrath of the United States’ fearful, powerful government body.

You’d have liked to say you were conflicted. It would be easier than admitting the direct, unambiguous crushing guilt you felt. But try as you might, you couldn’t. From the moment you felt close enough to Hank to weigh in on something so personal, you’d encouraged him to stop drinking, but now you understood on some level.

Detroit focused on learning how to sweep streets and collect garbage using flesh-and-blood human labour again, however temporarily. But you wafted through the weeks aimlessly, without direction, now the 7th precinct’s android specialist without any androids to specialize in. You’d be lying if you said you hadn’t found comfort in the bottom of a bottle on occasion, on the nights it was especially bad.

Oh, and then he came back.

Like a spectre from the grave of your recent past, but he was taller – maybe? He was nonetheless more towering, more imposing in his high collar and high contrast white and black jacket. His features were sharper somehow, although they were so painfully, painfully the same. The same smattering of spots, dots and freckles across his face. The same jawline, the same divot in the centre of his chin. The same rogue lock of brown hair, escaping from his swept back style to flop out onto his forehead.

You were infuriated. The sight of him standing amongst the desks – stiff and unmoving with his hands clasped nearly behind his back. unfazed by anything, made the bile rise in your throat, a sick dizziness spinning behind your eyes. You didn’t know whether it was because he had the audacity to come back, or that he came back as this – this “RK900”, this facsimile, this shitty copy of what Connor was.

His eyes were grey. Cold. Like Cyberlife wasn’t even trying to hide his frigid, machine nature behind the facade of those soft, deep browns anymore.

You pursed your lips and shifted your posture (whether consciously or not) to be more guarded as you approached. Of course, as some sick stroke of fate, it was your desk he was waiting oh-so statuelike next to. You hadn’t said a word as you walked up before he spoke:

“Good morning, Detective L/N. My name is Connor, I’m the android sent by Cyberlife.”

Your eyes slipped closed for a second, a half smile on your face as you let out a fast huff of air through you nose - but there was no mirth in the expression. You opened your eyes again and directed your gaze back up to his eyes, intending to look neutral, unaffected, even though you knew your face was betraying the hotness in your blood.

“Oh, are you?” You said, and pressed your lips into a line, looking away from his eyes and just past his shoulder, still trying to sound as disinterested as possible.

“Yes, I have - “

“That’s nice,” you interrupted, still pointedly not looking at him. You noticed the ring on his temple flash yellow for a single moment, and when it settled back on blue he tilted his head just the slightest in question. “That you’re Connor, the android sent by Cyberlife, I mean.”

He paused for a breath, and continued, seemingly unable to come up with a response to that. “Yes. I have been assigned to assist you.”

“Well, that’s great isn’t it?” you said, turning your back to him as you shrugged off your bag and heavy winter jacket, and fixed your desk for the day. And when you swung back around to face him, he was still standing just the same as he had been when you walked in. You looked him over, sucking your teeth before a corner of your mouth pulled back and you spoke.

“Well I’ve got to, uh, go and meet with Captain Fowler. You can wait here I guess,” you muttered before you looked down to the floor and moved past the android, careful to give him a wide berth.

You were tense. You were tense as your feet carried you quick to Fowler’s office, and as you made your way up the short set of stairs, and as you rapped fast and short on the glass door, waiting for the OK to come in. When he motioned for you to enter and you stood in front of his desk, you tried not to tremble as you jabbed your finger out in the direction of the open office.

“All - all due respect, sir but what,” you were straining to contain your voice as you thrust your outstretched index finger towards Connor for emphasis. “is... What is that? What’s going on with that whole situation?”

For a moment, he ignored you as he continued to read the file he had held up in front of him. He laid it flat on the desk and looked up at you. "That is your partner."

"I..." You shook your head. "Captain Fowler, you know I never make demands or requests of any kind. But I - I do not need, or want, to have... A partner, not when it's him." Your voice was low but insistent, bordering on desperate.

Fowler shrugged his shoulders. "Nobody else would take it, Y/N. Hell, Reed threatened to turn his gun and badge in when I tried to assign this thing to him." His eyebrows drew together as he gestured towards you. "I thought you liked androids!"

Your voice was raising, just slightly, a nervous tightness in your gut forming. It was risky to contest against your superior so insistently but - maybe you were being irrational. But you couldn't stop yourself. "Not - not this one - please, please believe me when I say it won't go over well. It won't work, sir -"

"Listen, Y/N,” he shifted to lean back in his seat, “we are literally being paid to put this thing to use. These RK900s have been shipped out across the whole country as part of a plan to clean up the public opinion on androids." He leaned forward again, elbows on his desk. "Cyberlife is putting their ass on the line here. They've gifted the DPD a sizeable amount of money in exchange for our cooperation in showing the public that androids and humans can work together, and that androids can be trusted in public service."

You closed your eyes, voice strained as you tried to convey your desperation. "Please! You don't understand! I never ask for anything, Captain, you know that! But this is a deeply personal, deeply emotional issue -"

"Yeah! I know! The whole goddamn station saw you getting all fuckin' moony-eyed over the last android detective we got sent! But for Christ sake, you're an adult, Y/N! It's an android! Deal with whatever issues you have! This thing has to go somewhere, somewhere it's going to be seen, and I'm not changing my decision. Now if you're done here, you can get out and get to work, before I start writing you up for this bullshit!" he shouted, and pointed to the door.

You sucked in a sharp breath, readying yourself to say more, but you had nothing else. So you just turned tail and left his office.

Connor looked over from across the room, silently observing behind those grey irises with eyebrows slightly raised. You narrowed your eyes, suddenly feeling stifled as the question of what you were going to do? spun around inside your head and all the emotions; the anger and the despair and the grief swelled within you. When you realized your face had twisted up into a red-cheeked, teary-eyed scowl, you turned and hurried to the washroom, cursing yourself the whole way for being unable to contain yourself.

In all truth, you had never expected to have to deal with this particular... issue again. Connor - the old Connor, RK800, had completed his mission; shot the android leader Markus dead, quelling the revolution, and was promptly recalled back to Cyberlife anyways. Without him existing in the world as a constant reminder you took all the feelings, the pain, and the shame, and the affection, and locked them away, neatly compartmentalized where you wouldn’t have to deal with them. But now he was back, or, at least someone was here, someone with his face and his name, someone who was daring to set it all bursting forth.

In front of the mirror, you grit your teeth, looking into the bloodshot eyes staring back. You ran the tap cold and splashed your face, and tried to prevent yourself from crying, although a few rebellious tears escaped and slid down your cheeks.

The thought of working with him repulsed you. Your mind was racing trying to come up with ways to relinquish Connor from your care, to convince Fowler to reassign him. But the reality of it all, was that you allowed yourself to be emotionally manipulated by an android. You let Connor get under your skin and convince you that somewhere, deep inside, he cared, he wanted you and your affections. You let him influence you to do things you didn’t want to do. Or not do things you wanted to. And in the end? Had Connor not pulled you close enough to stop you, you would have tried your damnedest to hinder the investigation and allow the androids to win their freedom.

There was no justifying that to anyone.

——————

The first week was difficult - like pulling teeth. The sight of him every day, standing at your desk and waiting ever so... patiently (patiently? Could you call it patience?) made your insides tense up, and your chest constrict beneath your sagging shoulders. Something screamed “wrong” in your gut every time you found yourself and your actions set underneath the gaze of his grey eyes, ever observing. Though he was carefully programmed not to seem it, you knew him well enough to know he was always, always watching, always analyzing.

It took only a weekend to resign yourself to your fate. Though you didn’t like it, you would tolerate him. You would have to. Fowler had set his foot down; as much as you hated to admit it, the struggle was over before it even begun.

It’s not like Connor wasn’t amiable enough. This new Connor was more terse, somehow more oblivious (scaled back social protocols?), but never explicitly rude. He was not difficult to work with on an interpersonal level. That's why you had to be so cautious around him. Connor was as charming as he was clever and cunning, with a way of infecting you, getting deep underneath your skin.

At the very least, he was good at what he was built for. He certainly wouldn't be bogging down your efforts from day-to-day. It would be useful to have him around.

As much as you tried to tell yourself you were lucky to have such an incredible investigator as your assistant and your assistant alone, you couldn't help the way you tensed when he was near, how you averted your eyes from his form whenever he crossed your line of sight. From the start, you could tell it would be a tense partnership. You didn't expect it to be harmonious in any way but it was difficult to balance caution and cooperation in working with him. What price would you have to pay to work totally smoothly with your partner? What price would you have to pay to be completely careful?

It wasn't an issue before. With Connor - RK800 - you had no worries. You gelled with him instantly, and even Hank came around pretty quick. The old adage of "ignorance is bliss" rang true; it was so easy, so simple to work on the deviancy case when you were convinced there was some feeling within him, some humanity imparted unto him inside his programming that you could relate yourself to. But there wasn't. Connor was just a machine, a master of manipulation.

Hank wanted a son; Connor played the part. You wanted a... companion. You wanted to feel l o v e d wanted, and Connor only danced to your tune.

It didn't matter too much for the first couple weeks of your partnership. Cases were small and slow to come in. The city and its residents were still re-learning what to do with themselves when androids just weren't so widespread anymore.

There was, however, an uptick in red ice related crimes come December. A lack of androids meant a lack of blue blood meant a lack of thirium meant a lack of red ice. Everyone was starting to get desperate, from the addicts desperate for a fix to the drug lords desperate to make their bottom line.

The first murders came to you and Connor on a leisurely morning at the precinct. The bullpen was illuminated with a light, white and warming in the way only winter brings; the sun was beholden to noone's emotional state and for a moment you were turned from your seemingly unending pessimism and discomfort as you strolled into work, coffee in hand. You were greeted by Chris Miller, and Tina Chen. And then you were greeted by Connor, as script-like as ever:

"Good morning, Detective L/N."

"Connor," you said, brief, as you took a sip from your coffee, not looking at him as he stepped out from the dock against the wall and begun to follow you.

"Is there any way I can be of assistance today?" he asked, insistent. This Connor was always a little forceful in tone, but it wasn't too much of an issue for you.

"Mmmm, likely not. Today's just paperwork. Which must, unfortunately, be filled out by a human. Else I would definitely have some work for you," you smirked to yourself, back facing the android as you came to your desk and set your bag down. You looked over your shoulder at him towering behind you. "You can - " there was a marked discomfort in your next words, " - return to your... dock." Something always felt off about that concept.

"Understood," he said, and promptly tuned right back around. You heard the clicking of his shoes against the tile as he retreated from you and you settled yourself at your desk. About an hour of half-working in the relaxation of the morning had passed before Captain Fowler leaned out his door and called to you.

"Y/N! I've got a case for you!" You turned to your head, looking up at him standing half outside the raised glass cube that was his office as he motioned for you to come and turned immediately back in to sit down at his own desk.

You nodded to yourself and stood up, taking the last sip from your mug before you set it down, empty, onto the desk surface and made your way to his office. You turned back around to look at Connor following you and -

He wasn't following you. He was still standing in his little dock cubicle staring straight ahead, completely neutral in expression and posture. You quirked an eyebrow.

"Connor!" You called out to him, and he turned his head towards you, stepping away from the wall one pace. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but seeing as though you're my partner it may be beneficial for you to come and sit in while Fowler tells us about this case," you raise your eyebrows and tilted your head as your hand swooped out to beckon him forward.

"Right. I'm coming." You nodded, the corners of your lips drawing outwards as you continued on your initial path. He followed shortly behind as you made your way up the stairs and into Fowler's office. You sat down in a chair in front of his desk and Connor simply stood, hands clasped behind his back.

"Double homicide," Fowler said curtly after a moment. "I've sent the details to your terminal. We just got the call about two hours ago. The witness was walking her daughter to school when she heard shouting from inside a house on her way. She heard a gunshot come from inside and saw someone leave the scene out the front door, but was too busy fleeing herself with her daughter to get a good look."

"Seems a little early in the morning to be killing people," you mused, leaning back into your seat.

Drawing in a deep breath, he continued. “When our guys got there they found two victims. One stabbed in the neck, the other was shot through the heart. Again, not many details on the guy who ran, but he’s looking to be our prime suspect here.” You nodded along as he explained.

"Is there any information on the identities and backgrounds of the victims?" Connor chimed in.

"There wasn't much identifying information to be found inside the house. We're still waiting for a facial recognition or DNA match to come back," Fowler said. "The address is in the file I sent. Take the android and go have a look, see what you can find out."

"Can do, sir. We'll do out best," you gave a pleasing smile as your stood.

"I know you will. Dismissed," he said, looking up at you and nodding. You turned and exited the office. Connor followed suit. (The old Connor had a habit of lingering in Fowler's office, much to the annoyance of your boss.)

And, well, you couldn't help but to smile a little as you made your way back to your desk. It was exciting, in a way - a little intellectual stimulation to break you out of the rut these past few weeks had you in.

"What are you grinning about coming outta Fowler's office?" You heard a voice, low and gruff call out to you from across the room as you packed your things at your desk. You turned around and held your hands out at your sides.

"Double homicide, my dear Lieutenant!" you beamed at Hank's approaching figure.

"Ah, I see, murder makes us happy now," he said with a joking skepticism as he gazed down at you past the tip of his nose, face tilted slightly up.

"Not the murders, Hank. The case. Could be interesting," you said with a pause, shrugging your packed bag onto one shoulder and crossing your arms as he came to stand in front of you. "You know none of us have had a good case in weeks. Besides, you would be smiling too if your alternative was - " you jabbed your thumb blindly behind you at the terminal on your desk. " - a damn mountain of paperwork.

"Yeah," he agreed. "You're right. It's only a shame that -" he cut off, and his voice dropped a little lower. "Shame you gotta work with him," he said, thrusting his face forward for a split second over your shoulder. You turned around and Connor was standing behind you in the sun. His eyes, for a fraction of a second narrowed as his LED blinked yellow before settling back on blue. He looked over at Hank.

"Good morning, Lieutenant Anderson," he greeted. Always the same tone every time, so precisely neutral and pleasant. Your nose scrunched up as you turned back to face Hank, looking down at your feet.

"Yeah... Morning." he muttered under his breath.

You inhaled sharply. "Well, you know I won't let him hold me back," you smiled apologetically up at him. "Besides, he's good, you and I both know that, unfortunately... Makes him worth having around," you chuckled, and both of you paused for a beat before you reached out and patted the side of his arm.

"We should get going," you sighed. "I'll see you around, yeah?" You moved past him and turn back to walk backwards a few steps.

"Yeah. I'll see ya, Y/N." He and Connor nodded awkwardly at each other as Connor began to follow you.

When you were outside, and standing in the cold, you pulled out your phone and called for a taxi on the app.

"Where are we headed, Detective?" he inquired.

"Someplace called uh, Glengrove Boulevard. New development, if I remember rightly. Nice neighborhood."

"Understood."

You pursed your lips at the abrupt end. Connor, the old Connor, always had a way of filling the silence. Sure, he may have been only gathering information, but it was never awkward, there were no silences hanging in the air like dead weight with him.

It didn't take long for the automated cab to come. When the doors slid open, you turned to Connor, looking into his grey eyes, and gestured your hand towards the vehicle in offerance with raised eyebrows and a tight-lipped smile.

"After you."

[sariasprincy-writes]

Hollow Point 19

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine // Ten // Eleven // Twelve // Thirteen // Fourteen // Fifteen // Sixteen // Seventeen // Eighteen // Nineteen (here) 

Chapter Nineteen The blank edges of a map

Itachi wasn’t there when Sakura arrived. He hadn’t replied to her text two days ago, but she wasn’t too concerned. He had never disappointed her before.

She waited for him just inside the mouth of the alley, between the club and an old restaurant that had closed down some time ago. She was but a shadow, dressed in all black from her boots to her jeans and leather jacket as she leaned against the wall that separated her from the club. The music reverberated against her spine.

She didn’t have to wait long. Less than ten minutes later, Sakura heard the faint tap of footsteps down the opposite end of the alley. “You look nice,” Itachi said. “Is it my birthday?”

Sakura bit back her smirk as she looked up at him. He was dressed well in a pair of dark jeans and a dark blue button up shirt. He had rolled the sleeves up to his forearms. A mix of formal and casual wear. Good. She needed him to look his best tonight.

Pushing off the wall, Sakura stepped towards him, giving him a careful onceover. She straightened his collar a little and brushed his bangs out of his face before she smiled in return. “Feels like it’s my birthday.”

Itachi’s smile briefly widened before he peered out into the street where party-goers were all funneling towards the small entrance of the large building. “What are we doing here?”

“I need to have a talk with an old friend,” she told him, following his gaze. “You might know her. Here, she’s known as Sekhmet.”

“The Goddess of Power.”

Sakura nodded, somewhat surprised he recognized the name. “If there’s any movement of anything in or out of Egypt, she knows.”

“And you want to know more about that port in New York,” Itachi concluded. When she nodded, his brow furrowed. “So why do you need me here?”

“I can’t go in alone,” she told him. When Itachi shot her a questioning look, she sighed, “I…may have killed her brother.”

In an instant, all playfulness dropped from his expression. He shot her an incredulous look, as if still trying to figure out if she was completely or only mostly out of her mind. Not that she could entirely blame him. This was almost the dumbest thing she had ever done.

“It’s complicated,” Sakura said when Itachi continued looking at her like he was waiting for an explanation.

He huffed a humorless laugh through his nose. “And what makes you think you can walk in there without her killing you?”

Looking away from the crowd, she turned to face him fully. “You.”

Itachi’s brows furrowed. “Me?” he repeated.

She nodded, slipping her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “Temari only mostly hates me so I’ll at least be able to get one, maybe two words in before she goes for her gun. And she loves pretty boys.”

“So, I’m here to flirt with her,” he said, his voice flat.

“Don’t worry. She won’t do anything to you. Maybe.” When Itachi continued to just stare, she brushed a piece of invisible lint off his shirt with a small smile. “Just play along. You’re CIA. I figured you would be good as this by now.”

Itachi looked like he had more to say but she didn’t give him the chance as she finally moved forward to blend into the crowd. She didn’t have to look back to know he was following, feeling his hand wrap around the inside of her elbow so they didn’t get separated.

At the door, Sakura smiled at the bouncers and whispered the right words to get in. They eyed her skeptically but didn’t question her. Merely unhooked the red rope to let her and Itachi pass.  

Inside, the club was pounding. Literally. Heavy beats rattled her bones and made the floor quake beneath her feet. Bright, flashing lights flickered overhead, enticing those standing on the sidelines to join the party.

Normally, Sakura would have loved to get lost in the deep bass and the semi-darkness where no one knew her name. Now, it only made it harder to concentrate, harder to think.

With Itachi still on her arm, Sakura weaved through the throng of girls in short dresses. Many clung to guys with wandering eyes who didn’t even know their names. She stopped just outside the main dancefloor to gaze purposefully about the club.

Beside her, Itachi’s hand tightened on her arm. She glanced at him and followed his gaze to a group of men that were eyeing her. She ignored them.

“Don’t worry about them,” she told him. “These are just civilians.” Then she nodded towards a door upstairs in a tucked away corner of the room. “Up there is who we have to worry about.”

Over the pounding music, Itachi didn’t bother trying to reply. He merely followed her up the narrow, nearly invisible stairs in the back and down the hall where four large bouncers were guarding the door. They all wore black t-shirts, their biceps nearly bursting the stitching in the arms and their tattoos out on display for all to see.

The closest one barely took one look at her before turning to Itachi. “You and your lady friend are going the wrong way. Party is downstairs.”

Unfazed, Itachi jerked his chin towards the mass of bodies swaying on the dancefloor. “That’s not the type of party we’re looking for. Our tastes are for something a little more private. Perhaps Sekhmet has enough room for two more. Two more with money to spare.”

The man’s eyes narrowed at that name. He eyed the pair of them again and seemed to think before he looked back at his companions and nodded once. His silent permission that they were granted access.

Sakura briefly glanced at Itachi as they slipped through the door. He returned her stare with a faint smirk. He was better at this than she thought.

The guard closed the door behind them as they slipped into a hall, muting the loud music below. She and Itachi followed it until they reached a shimmering, silk curtain. Beyond it led to a large room. There was a dozen or so people in the room, the clinking of their crystal glasses and murmured conversation floating up into the high ceiling. More silk hung from above in shades of the richest purples and deepest reds. The rest of the space was accentuated in sparkling golds, the colors all blending together to give a warmth to the otherwise colorless room.

Towards the middle of the room, four pillars of marble stamped a wide square onto the white tiles. Just inside that, the floor sunk down where a chaise lounge sofa sat. That was where Temari lounged.

She sat like a queen of the ages with her blonde hair tied back, exposing her long neck and accentuating the gold, stringed head piece along her forehead and atop the crown of her head. Her eyeliner was winged and sharp, drawing attention to her almond-shaped eyes. She was dressed in long flowing, harem pants and a shirt of the smoothest silk, her feet bare and decorated with intricate henna.

On either side of her, Temari kept company with a pair of young boys. Likely barely twenty. Not that that was surprising. Sakura remembered the blonde always went for the younger ones.

Temari looked up when Itachi entered. She eyed him curiously, giving him a long onceover as a playful smile formed on her lips. It fell the instant she spotted Sakura a pace behind him.

Like a candle dying in the wind, all warmth drained from Temari’s features. She didn’t spare another word to the boys beside her as she rose from her throne of plush pillows. Her face was hard as she approached, her expression carved from stone. “You have some nerve showing up here.”

Sakura and Itachi stopped a pace from where the floor dropped down. “Temari, I-“

That was all Sakura got out before Temari’s fist connected with her face. The crack of her knuckles echoed throughout the room. Sakura grimaced but made no move to defend herself or retaliate. She had expected worse. Beside her, Itachi tensed but remained still as the rest of the room fell silent.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t shoot you where you stand,” Temari demanded.

Trying to hide how much her jaw ached, Sakura looked up at the blonde. It didn’t escape her notice the guards in the corners of the room had reached into the inside pockets of their tailored suits. Hands likely around concealed weapons.

“You and I both know I did everyone a favor by killing Gaara,” Sakura said unapologetically. “He was a terrorist. In every sense of the word.”

When Temari’s eyes narrowed, Sakura took a step forward before she could cock her fist again, closing the space between them until she could whisper just loud enough for Temari to hear. “Don’t forget that I was the one who stopped him from strangling you that night.”

The blonde didn’t immediately move, the both of them remembering that cold, winter night. Her wheezing, hollow gasps while Sakura pleaded with Gaara to release his only sister.

This time when Sakura met Temari’s gaze, the anger and hate was replaced with something painful, something she was unable to describe. “He was my brother,” Temari murmured so quietly Sakura nearly missed the hurt in her voice.

Sakura swallowed thickly, trying to push down the sudden knot of sympathy that had balled in her chest. “I know.”

The next time Temari blinked her vulnerability was gone and in its place was her usual, cool frostiness. “So, what are you doing here? It’s not like you to apologize for anything so you must want something from me.”

With the thick tension broken, the soft conversation on the outskirts of the room resumed. Sakura tried to hide her smile at Temari’s perception, tried to hide how much her jaw ached. If there was one thing she learned from Gaara, it was how to throw a punch.

“We need some information,” Itachi stepped forward, speaking for the first time.

Temari pulled her gaze from Sakura to study him. She said nothing for a long moment before she extended her hand to him. And just as Sakura had hoped, Itachi accepted it.

“Information on what exactly?” Temari asked.

She led him towards the lounge chair she had been resting on when they arrived, wordlessly waving the pair of boys away. They made themselves scarce without a word. With them gone, Temari made herself comfortable upon the cushions, ensuring Itachi seated himself close by.

“Shipments out of Cairo and into the States,” Itachi said, turning to face Temari completely. “Specifically, into New York City.”

It didn’t escape Sakura’s notice Temari had purposely left no room for her to join. She resisted the urge to sigh at her antics as she stopped beside them. Still standing.

Temari arched her brow at Itachi. “Shipments of what?”

“Guns, drugs, the usual,” he listed.

When the blonde hummed thoughtfully, Sakura added, “It looks like Akatsuki, but a reliable source doesn’t think so.”

Temari peered up at her, the gold in her hair sparkling. “I’ve heard of the port. A shipment left here a few weeks ago to head into New York. I had assumed it was you so I didn’t look at it too hard,” she said. Then her gaze returned to Itachi. “If you want more information, I can look into it and let you know what I find.”

Itachi smiled. “We would appreciate it.”

Temari returned his smile for one of her own before it fell with a glance at Sakura. “You know I require payment first.”

“If you can find out who is using the port in New York, I’ll pay you one hundred million pounds,” Sakura told her.

The blonde arched her brow in surprise at the high price, the question obvious on the tip of her tongue. In never came. Instead, she pretended to think. Her gaze studying Sakura before turning back to Itachi. The start of a cunning smile on her lips. “One hundred million pounds. And I get to keep pretty boy.”

Itachi turned to look at Sakura at that. She couldn’t help but smile as she read the look in his eyes. “Pretty boy is mine,” she said, redirecting her attention to Temari. “Take the money or leave it.”

The older woman eyed Itachi for a moment longer before she sighed. “Fine,” she waved him away. “Wire the money to me by tomorrow or there’s no deal.”

With their business concluded, Sakura left with Itachi in tow, much to the pout of Temari. They headed back out the way they came, weaving their way through the party-goers still dancing and drinking downstairs.

The fresh air outside was a welcomed relief from the sticky heat of the crowded club. Although heavy. Like rain was threatening to fall.

Sakura inhaled deeply, wincing when her jaw ached. She rubbed the sore spot briefly, her fingers pressing along the skin just enough to determine that she would in fact have a bruise. At least Temari had played nice. Mostly.

Itachi was already watching her when Sakura looked at him. She dropped her hand, realizing she was still massaging her abused face.

“I’m hungry,” Itachi said before she could speak. “We should get something to eat.”

And that was how Sakura found herself at some American diner on the corner. It was a few streets back from the more touristy areas and a little tucked away. At this hour, they were the only customers. The older crowd already retired to bed and the younger ones still drinking in the clubs.

They ordered nachos before the waitress collected their menus and disappeared into the back. Even alone, they didn’t speak. Itachi watched Sakura over his coffee mug. Her phone sat on the table between them. Face up but silent. Only the screen lighting up every so often to indicate she had a new message.

Each time, Itachi glanced at her. She didn't touch it. Instead her gaze lingered elsewhere. The streamers hanging from the ceiling of the restaurant as they spun slowly, the steam rising from his coffee mug, the fall of the rain outside as it dripped down the window. She stared at all these things with rapt attention. As if she saw some deeper meaning in the little things.

Itachi just watched her, her earlier words playing over in his head. ‘Pretty boy is mine.’ He knew she had meant it as a power play against Temari, but that single statement had stirred something deep in his chest.

It stirred again now as he observed her. Eyeing the way she ran the back of her fingers against her jaw. It had to ache from the force behind Temari’s blow, but Sakura didn’t show any signs of discomfort. She had acted like it hadn’t even hurt at the time.

It was some minutes before Sakura noticed his stare. She cocked her brow. The same look she always gave when she caught him staring.

“You haven't spoken since we left Temari's,” he said, finally breaking the silence.

She said nothing for a minute more as a frown settled over her features. She sank back against the back of the booth heavily. “Some dots are beginning to connect that worry me,” Sakura said quietly.

Itachi’s brow furrowed. “With Akatsuki?”

She nodded, crossing her arms loosely over her chest. “Our meeting with Kisame is making me think Akatsuki is growing faster than we think.”

“Because he didn’t know about the port in New York?” he asked. When she said nothing, Itachi frowned. “Are you certain that shipment was even Akatsuki’s and not another group? There’s more illegal product moving in and out of America than there has been in years. It’s possible someone else-”

“I saw the port myself,” Sakura interrupted, her tone not unkind but unyielding. “It’s Akatsuki. And the fact Kisame doesn’t know might mean he’s been compromised or Pein has another arms supplier.”

Itachi was quiet for a long moment as he considered her words, a deep frown etched into the corners of his mouth. It was a minute before he spoke again, “Let’s wait to see what Temari says before we jump to any conclusions.”

Over the table, Sakura met Itachi’s gaze. He seemed to be pleading with her, as if trying to convince her to give Kisame the benefit of the doubt. She supposed she didn’t have any proof of her claims yet. Only a churning in her stomach that made her uneasy.

Eventually she nodded. A small smile caressed the corner of Itachi’s mouth before it disappeared behind his coffee mug. Sakura studied him, finding that she liked watching him. Noticing the little things. Like the way his shoulders filled his shirt, how he held his coffee mug from the side and not the handle. How his expression changed minutely when he looked up again and caught her stare.

“What is it?” he asked.

She didn’t understand his question until she realized her smile had dwindled into a frown. “There’s something else,” she began slowly. “Do you remember the payments Shisui found? The ones Hashirama was providing Madara.”

“You found out what the payments are for.”

Sakura inclined her head. “Hashirama is paying Madara to watch me.”

Itachi stilled, his gaze briefly flickering out the window as if he expected to find some shadow staring back at them across the street. “You don’t think he knows about us?”

“No. If he did, he would have taken me out by now,” she told him, unfazed by the thought. “I think Hashirama is expecting me to turn against him though.”

“Why would he think that?”

“Probably because I came to work for him as a favor from my adopted mother. And she loathes him.”

A look of confusion passed Itachi’s face as Sakura rested her chin on her palm. She could still recall the arguments they used to get into. At least she assumed they were. She could only hear Tsunade’s side of the conversation, but the hushed, angry whispers and abrupt ends led her to believe that things between her mother and Hashirama had slowly deteriorated over time.

“She never told me much about their relationship,” Sakura continued. “But I think Hashirama started shorting her on payments. I think that’s why Tsunade finally cut ties with him and left me in charge so she could move on.”

“So that’s where you got the name Tsunade from,” Itachi murmured. When Sakura shot him a puzzled look, he explained, “There’s not a lot known about you, even with Mossad and the CIA after you. We know that you were born in the States and raised in Israel, but other than that your file is pretty much full of guessed information. For a while, many of us believed you were multiple people. I guess we were half-right in that regard.”

Sakura drank from her water glass as she considered Itachi. Caught with the sudden urge to tell him more but not wanting to give too much away. She thought about her next words carefully. “I was born in the States, but I was moved to Russia before I turned one,” she told him. “I stayed there until I was six when Hashirama found me and brought me to his niece, Tsunade.”

“Your adopted mother,” Itachi said, connecting the dots. “So, she took you and raised you.”

“More like trained me,” Sakura corrected. “She was less nurturing and more interested in teaching me her trade. How to conceal a weapon, how to steal. How to lie.”

Itachi frowned, like he was pitying her. She half expected him to apologize for her poor childhood. To her relief, he didn’t, “You have the widest range of connections of any criminal I’ve ever tracked. You must have moved around a lot.”

Warmth flushed through Sakura at his compliment. She tried to push it away as she drank from her water glass. Instead recalling all the homes, all the cities they had jumped around. Never staying in one place for too long. Just long enough to establish contacts or create connections before moving on.

Itachi sipped his coffee as he considered what she had just told him. When he lowered it, he eyed her again. “Is Sakura even your real name?”

Sakura didn’t immediately reply. Not because she didn’t want to tell him, but because she didn’t know for certain herself. She had never known her birth name – or if she had even been given one. She knew they had called her something else in that cold orphanage, but that name had long since faded from her memory.

In the end, Sakura merely shrugged. “It’s the one I like.”

Their food arrived after that. They talked about insignificant things as they picked through the large pile of nachos for the perfect chip. She couldn’t help her smile when Itachi peeled off his jalapenos and nearly horded the little cups of sour cream and guacamole their waitress had provided. Sakura let him, not too picky with what she ate.

By the time they finished, the little diner was closing for the night. The waitress locked the door behind them and turned the outside light off, casting them into semi-darkness. She and Itachi paused under the front awning, observing the rain that fell just beyond.

It was a few blocks to her hotel. Sakura would undoubtedly be soaked by the time she got there. Perhaps she should have checked the weather before she left, but Temari had been her only thought when she had slipped out earlier that evening.

When Sakura turned back to Itachi, she saw he was already watching her. That same look in his eyes she recognized but still couldn’t quite place. She frowned. “Why do you look at me like that?”

He was quiet a moment. Then said, “Because I like the way you look at the world.”

“As a tool to be used?” she asked sarcastically, trying to distract from the way her heart was suddenly thumping in her chest.

Itachi merely shook his head, the start of a smile tugged on the corner of his lips. “As something to be looked at.”

Sakura held his gaze for a moment before she looked away, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She fidgeted with her jacket, pulling her collar tighter around her neck and drawing the zipper higher. When her face cooled, she looked back at Itachi only to find he was still smiling.

She frowned in defense. “Are you flirting with me, Agent Uchiha?”

“Would you be so opposed to it?” he asked in return.

For some reason that made her pause. For she could recall saying the very same thing to him those months ago. The only difference now was she got the feeling he wasn’t completely teasing.

She swallowed, suddenly unsure how to respond.

Itachi saved her from her own embarrassment by taking a single step back, a knowing look entering his gaze. “I’ll be in touch. Have a good night, Sakura,” he murmured, her name rolling off his tongue like it had a million times before.

Then he stepped out into the rain and walked away.

Sakura watched him without moving, feeling hot and cold all over. It wasn’t until he was disappeared around the corner that a glare fell over her features.

Damn, Uchiha. He certainly was better at this game than she thought.

to be continued…

[fearofaherobrine]

Roleplay Server Log #214

“The Gods Drop By, Lady Nessie”

-Below the two dragons there's a sudden explosion of noise, and the sunlight is blinding as it reflects off the desert around the Testificate city that's spread out in every direction-

[TLOT] Seems to come to life again and waves of energy wash over the group-

[Gk] The fuck?

[CP] Is gripping Lie close to himself-

[Lie] - CP...  It's okay, we're safe, calm down...

[Herabrine] This seed is almost as low res as my native one, where the fuck are we?

[Steve] My and TLOT's original home...

[Doc] Somewhere we'll get a decent welcome at least. And we're inside the server technically-

[Deer] - Oh dear...  I think I'm gonna get a headache...

[Doc] Motions to Gk and the two of them land in the main square of Kore-

-The fountain is still going strong and the offensive pods guarding it look well-watered and healthy -

-The Testificates aren't naked this time, but they are happy to see the parts of the group they recognize-

[Doc] Loafs so the others can get down if they want-

[Gk] Sits up so TLOT and Steve slide bumpilly off his back-

[CP] Slides down still holding Lie tightly-

[TLOT] dusts himself off and clears his throat - Loyal subjects... my people, - winks- we we're just passing through and decided to check on you all.

[Steve] Wades into the crowd. He's basically shaking hands and kissing babies like a seasoned priest .

[CP] Growls a little as some of the testificates get a bit close-

[Lie] - Shhhh, it's okay

[Sprlhm ad Cherie] Both approach and bow- It is an honor to see you all again-

[TLOT] I take it the renovations are coming along nicely?

[Sprlhm] We put our greatest artists to work here and then sent them around to other parts of the land to spread the word and make other monuments in far-away places.

[Deer] - These are your subjects TLOT?

[TLOT] A mix of beauty and usefullness?

[Cherie] As you requested, it is done.

[TLOT] Yes Deerheart. Since the destruction of my NOTCH, they've kind of adopted me. -chuckles-

[Sprlhm] humble smile- He is much kinder then even Jeb was to us.

[Gk] Makes a barfing sound-

[Deer] Growls a little at the mention of Jeb-

[Yaunfen] - Burp?

[Testificates] some bunch around Gk and offer him milk because now they think he's ill

[Gk] Shoo!

[Testificate children] A few are watching Yaunfen curiously-

[Doc] Curls hir tail around hir baby a little

[CP] Finally calms down a little so that he can shakily stand-

[Cherie] Is looking at Deerheart - Are you also a nature goddess like the great Lie?

[Deer] - A goddess?  No, I'm a server

[Testificates] Some bring chairs out and set them down for anyone who wants one-

[Cherie] Surely not? You are too graceful and lovely to just serve others!

[Deer] - Uh, no, I'm the land itself in a way, currently your world is housed inside of mine

[Cherie] Gestures for a Testificate who's loitering nearby, their robe has more then a few paint spatters - the words 'earth mother' are muttered quietly and the smaller Testificate is dismissed to run back towards the temple

[Doc] Is watching suspiciously but also keeping an eye on the children-

[Lie] Finally manages to disentangle herself from CP-

[TLOT] Takes a chair and centers himself, theres a bit of a rolling hush as the people feel a tiny ripple from his falling into allignment with the energy of his followers -

[Steve] Sees what he's doing- can I get a little...? -He makes an odd gesture at part of the crowd as if conducting a symphony-

-Testificates reach for their mates and children and hug them happily-

[TLOT] Smiles- feeling the warmth from their actions

[Steve] makes a sweeping gesture and several of the mal mal pairs take up martial stances while also holding their mates hands-

[TLOT] Adds the feeling to what he's brewing-

[Steve] sweeps his hands out flat as if sweeping everything off a table- -all the Testificates immediately  surrounding the group fall like dominos to their knees and stretch their hands toward their God, sitting placidly on the small chair with a beatific smile [Doc] Wow....

-As their hands touch the sandy ground there's a nearly visible flow of power that rolls up and crashes over the small group, washing them clean of the anxiety and fear that drove them here.

[TLOT] Takes the brunt of the wave and stands, turning it around like an Olympian casting a discus and letting it fly. The amplified wave swirls out like an explosion in every direction, even passing out of the desert and the forests beyond. -in its wake quite a few of the Testificates simply slump to the ground, loafing placidly with blissful expressions on their faces. Several of the pairs slip quietly away to make love to their partners

[CP] The wave of energy has an effect on him as well, but he's not quite ready to let his mate out of his sight-

[Lie] Moves around Doc, she gives a small laugh at the sight she see's, knowing TLOT's flair for the dramatic but wondering how the testificates knew what to do.  Her gaze then travels to the fountain, wanting to check on her offensive plants-

[Deer] At Steve- That was orchestrated beautifully Steve

[TLOT] Whispers to Deer- that's the secret isn't it? The Dom seems to have all the power, but it's the sub that truly leads the dance

-in the chat- he's here

-I know...

[CP] Frowns at the chat- TLOT...

[TLOT] I saw it...

[CP] - Can I kill it?  I could really use a killing about now

[TLOT] No... I think I know who it is. It's not an issue. The worst we'll get is a stern talking too by someone who can't injure without making physical contact

[CP] Scowls as he crosses his arms and leans against a wall, hiding himself in shadow-

[TLOT] in chat- would you like an audience my lady?

- ....-

-yes-

[Lie] - Lady?

[Deer] - Who are you talking to TLOT?

[Steve] Someone who showed us mercy a long long time ago..

[TLOT] The high priestess of NOTCH. The greatest glitch healer in this world.

[CP] Sputters a little- That bastard of yours still has followers!?

[Doc] Makes a haughty flop of hir hair

[Deer] - Perhaps only when Doc is not around

[TLOT] it's a spiritual thing, they worship the world itself. I think he rarely talked to them directly.

[Steve] Their altar is literally just a grass block on a nice table

[CP] - Laaaaaaaaaaame

[TLOT] Replies directly into Cps mind - she's he one that made Steve human again when he was stuck in he shape of a raptor

[CP] Grumbles and steps out into the sunlight, the light reflecting off of his armor- Still don't care TLOT

[Lie] Is focused on her offensive plants, giving each a touch- That's enough CP

[Doc] is basking in the sun- you should take off your armor Cp, this is the desert

[CP] - When has the heat ever bothered me?

[Doc] Okay, be a baked potato- Xe pffffs hir long purple tongue at him

[Lie] Spots Sprlhm and Cherie- Oh, I remember you two

[Sprlhm and Cherie] Both bow and the girl speaks first- would you like us to make up the room for you and your mate again? The furnishings were removed to make more room for all your sacred flowers

[Lie] - Oh no, that's not necessary, although my mate probably does need to relax a little

[Sprlhm] such a big strong man might need a bit of a nudge to help him... Relax

[Lie] - I'll let his thoughts calm first, he just was in a very stressful place

[Steve] overhears and brings Cp a chair, just setting it down next to him and walking away again

[CP] Kicks at the chair-

[Lie] Sighs- Hera?  Little help?

[Herabrine] What do you want me to do?

[Lie] - Well I suspect that he's going to set himself on fire soon, and your the best one to douse him

[Herabrine] oh I get to impress the masses? Can I have a water bucket?

[Lie] Spawns one-

[CP] - Don't you fucking dare

[GK] Plunks down and takes a nip from the bottle Sam gave him, several of the Testificates are watching him intently and at least three of them are sketching.

[Herabrine] Takes the bucket and sets it at her feet. - Then don't give me a reason to need it.

[CP] Is already smoking a little-

[TLOT] Force unequipts Cp's armor so he doesn't wreck it-

[CP] - HEY!

[TLOT] Cool down. You're gonna break something.

[Testificates] Small group- Should we fetch something to appease him Herobrine?

[CP] Is now on fire-

[Testificates] Back off hurredly-

[Herabrine] Conjures a tentacle of water from the bucket and uses it like a sponge to wipe the fire off Cp without soaking him-

[CP] - Stop that!

[Testifcates] Super impressed. A few of them clap-

[Doc] Good grief-

[Herabrine] Feels weird about people watching her with admiration and gets a bit red-

[Lie] Mischievously- Oh look, now they have a water goddess

[Testificates] Chat amongst themselves a bit and confer with TLOT quietly-

[TLOT] Yeah! Sure, I mean, if you really want too. We're heading out for a bit, but we'll be back in a few hours-

[CP] Flies upwards to sulk on a roof-

[GK] Anyone care if I head back? All this attention is a bit... wierd.

[Herabrine] Yeah, I'm with you....

[Lie] - Well, somebody should see if the others made it back there...

[Doc] Deerheart? Does your head still hurt?

[Deer] - Yes, I think it's a bit much being inside another server in our server that wasn't formed there if that makes sense

[Doc] I understand. Can you go with GK and take Yaunfen home?

[Yaunfen] Yawns and stretches-

[Deer] - Absolutely

[Deer] Creates an opening back to their server-

[Doc] Nicely done Love-

[GK] Squeezes through with Hera following him-

[Testificates] Quite a lot of rubbernecking to see where the sudden hole in space comes out at.

[Deer] Leads Yaunfen through, blowing Doc a kiss before she closes the opening-

[Doc] Is just plain happy and makes a smootch sound back at her-  There are assorted 'awwws' from the crowd.

[TLOT] So I take it you guys are going to accompany me? For safety of course?

[Lie] - If you want us to

[CP] - Do we have to?

[Lie] - CP!

[CP] - What?  Besides, your still wearing your gown from the fucking coronation!

[Doc] I'm sure we could find or make something else.

[Lie] - Yeah, that might be a good idea...

[Steve] Chats with some of the villagers and they rush off.

[TLOT] Calls after them- It needs to be warm!

[Testificates] return with a voluminious white robe, there's way too much fabric, but it does appear warm.

[Lie] - Ah, thank you- She accepts the article and turns towards CP- I'm guessing we're going somewhere cold, so you are coming

[CP] - Why!?

[Lie] - Because you're a space heater- She then asks for a place to change her clothes

[Two Testificates] Offer her their own house to change in, it's small but well-appointed.

[Lie] Smiles and accepts their offer, slipping inside to change-

[Doc] Remembers the box of chocolate that's still in hir inventory- Hey TLOT do you mind?

[TLOT] Go ahead, I think the children will be the most excited.

[Doc] Busys hirself making more boxes of chocolate and handing out the big red hearts to anyone who wants one.

[Lie] Returns now dressed in the robe, her flower crown in her hands- Much better

[Doc] Okay guys, pony up. This is no place I want to tp to directly- Xe hunkers down for hir riders -

[TLOT] Climbs onto Doc's head and stands on hir forhead in a slight crouch that would only be visible to an experienced player.

[Steve] Scrambes up behind him and clings in the doctor's mane.

[CP] Groans but flies back down to pick up his wife and place her on Doc's back-

[Doc] Gives a bit of theatrical roar and lets a little lighting spark around hir lips -

[TLOT] Stands perfectly still as the dragon jumps up into the air and runs across the invisible blocks as gently as if they were grass.

[Lie] Snuggles into CP, helping to calm him and keep him there-

- Down below the desert falls away and the land opens up wild beneath them. Forests roll by and hills rise and fall like waves. Flower forests giving way to spruce trees and broken stacks of moss cobbles. The air turns chilly and the dragon climbs higher as the moutains rise up in the distance. The air is crisp with snow and there's no sign of civilization anywhere-

[Steve] Feels the bite of cold and shivers at his own painful memories-

[TLOT] Merely grits his teeth and stays crouched and steady on the dragon's head

[Lie] Huddles closer to CP as he turns up his heat-

[Doc] Casts around and finally spots a temple, it's nearly hidden in the trees. Only the gleam on a large window in the uppermost floor gives it away. Xe angles down and lands in the snow, turning up hir own glitch as well.

[CP] - Pretty secluded...- He's on edge right now

[Guards] Brandish their spears and then slowly put them away at the sight of the newcomers eyes. One runs to get their mistress.

[TLOT] I see we're expected.

[Lie] - But probably not so many of us...

[Guard] Will you... come inside?

[TLOT] I have a better idea. Tell the lady we will meet her in the garden.

[Guard] Offended gasp-

[Lie] - Garden?

[Doc] Hops up onto the wall and runs along the freezing blocks looking for the opening TLOT is showing hir in hir mind. Finally dropping into a courtyard near the center of the temple-

-All around them are cheerie trees. Some so close they're twined together. The trees seem to be existing in different seasons entirely, with different colored grass blocks or podzol in their shade as well. Some are fruiting, others blooming or losing their petals and leaves-

[Lie] Is curious about the plants and slides down only to make distressed noises when she touches the snow-

[CP] Sighs and picks her up, keeping her out of the snow-

[Doc] These look like the two you and Steve brought in. But far more errored. I thought these people fixed glitches?

[TLOT] It's a zen thing for them. They appreciate a bit of harmless imperfection.

[Lady Nessie] Luckly for you. - The lady is wearing a long peasant dress in brown and green and the glittering Nether star Steve gave her around her neck. Her hair is very long and braided.

[CP] Turns towards the new comer-

[Lady Nessie] Wryly looks at Cp - Have you brought me others to be reset?

[TLOT] No. None of us are in need of healing

[CP] Growls-

[Lady Nessie] How formal, now that you don't need me.

[Steve] I'm sorry my Lady, why did you want to speak to us? We're not ungrateful.

[Lie] Is a bit distracted with all the flora around them as CP takes her closer to it-

[Lady Nessie] You killed him.

[CP] Puts Lie down- He was intending to kill my mate

[Lady Nessie] I implyed no judgement. It was a flat statement. I assume it was in self-defense? We know of the torment Herobrine endured at his hands.

[Doc] We were kinda pushed into doing it, Jeb threatened to delete the world if we didn't

[Lie] - I would have preferred to not have been involved...- She's gently touching the leaves of the cheerie trees

[Lady Nessie] At TLOT - Herobrine?

[TLOT] Yes?

[Lady Nessie] You have claimed the world. What do you intend to do with it?

[TLOT] Not much. Just try to keep it peaceful.

[Lie] - I think Markus would like this place if it weren't so cold...

[CP] - Why would you mention him?

[Lie] - Oh hush, he's your father, I think you'd be at least a little considerate as to what he thinks

[Lady Nessie] Goes still at the sound of the name- Markus?

[CP] - Fucking original Notch...

[Lady Nessie] I know that name... we do have some contact with the outside... the Jeb worshipers consider him a mystery. A name their god has only said a few times by accident, and refused to elaborate on.

[Lie] - That's because the two of them worked together to create everything, the NOTCH you knew was modeled after the original

[Lady Nessie] Then it is settled - she snaps her fingers imperiously and a monk runs to her with a bag.

[TLOT] Narrows his eyes suspiciously-

[CP] - The fuck are you doing?

[Lady Nessie] You will take me to him-

[CP] Starts laughing- Yeah right!

[TLOT] Don't laugh Cp.... what she knows is dangerous.

[Steve] Are you sure Lady Nessie?

[Lie] - You are aware that you'll be entering a place filled with Brines, correct?

[Lady Nessie] Challenge me and I will overcome it.

[CP] Stalks up to her- You, are not coming

[Lady Nessie] Yes I am.

[TLOT] Don't let her touch you Cp....

[Doc] You said she was a healer?

[TLOT] Works both ways Doc. A healing potion can kill an undead as easily as a harming potion can kill a human.

[CP] Is growling-

[Doc] If she wants to meet Markus, I don't see what the big deal is.

[Lie] - CP don't make me turn you into a cat again-

[CP] Moves to slap Nessie- You are weak!

[Lady Nessie] Moves like a snake, she intercepts his wrist and uses his own momentum and both her hands to twist his arm around and crunch it painfully out of socket at the elbow-

[CP] Grunts and growls some more-

[Lie] - CP!- Vines are creeping up to separate the two of them

[Doc] Holy fuck!

[TLOT] I warned you-

[Lady Nessie] Takes a martial stance and skips around to avoid the vines- You will take me.

[Lie] Is quickly at CP's side to check him over but he refuses to let her touch his injured arm-

[Doc] Pounces over and drags Cp and Lie back with hir paws. - Hold still Cp!

[CP] - FUCKER GET OFF!

[Doc] Snaps his arm back in place-

[Steve] Please don't fight!

[Lie] - This is my husband we're talking about

[TLOT] You can come Lady Nessie, but if you hurt my friends. You won't be coming back here. Or anywhere else ever again.

[CP] Is trying to kick Doc-

[Lady Nessie] thinking- You stole my god from me.

[TLOT] You knew what he was.

[Lady Nessie] Yes, but he was also all I had.

[Lie] - There are others!

[Doc] Is kicked but still manages to fix Cp's arm and lets go of him-

[Lady Nessie] My interest is in the original.

[CP] - If you try to corrupt him in any way...

[Lady Nessie] I am the opposite of corruption.

[TLOT] That at least is true.

[Doc] I don't care, I'm freezing. Lets go home-

[Lie] - I can agree on the freezing part

[Doc] Makes a portal into the cage.-

[CP] Carries Lie through but winces since his arm is still sore.  He speaks mentally to TLOT- We could just lock her in here...

[TLOT] Mentally- It's easier and more diplomatic to just let her talk to him. We'll wing it from there.

[CP] Is very unhappy as he puts Lie down-

[Lie] Looks up at her offensive pod up there and it lowers itself to greet her-

[Doc] Trots through the hole and closes it once they're all through. There's a bit of snow on the floor, already melting, and a scattering of petals from the cheerie trees.

[Lie] - Home again, finally

[Lady Nessie] Looks up at the pod. - Ah. The thing that brings the mating heat.

[Lie] - My defense mechanism, created when I wasn't exactly...  Stable mentally

[Lady Nessie] Interesting. You know the villagers worship you, don't you?

[TLOT] Well she did help kill NOTCH....

[Lie] - So we've been informed

[Lady Nessie] So what is the cat for?

[Lie] Giggles a little- Because that would be my husband

[CP] Growls-

[Lady Nessie] raised eyebrow- How... interesting.

[Doc] I'll meet you guys topside. I want to see who's around- xe hops up and clips up through the ceiling-

[TLOT] Come on then. - leads the way out

[CP] Glances at the lever which would lock the door as they exit the cage-

[Steve] Holds the door graciously for Lie-

[Lie] - Thank you Steve

[Lady Nessie] Picks up her dress hem as they walk through the cave. The Nether star around her neck gleaming brightly-

[TLOT] Emerges into the sun - So nice to be home...

[Lie] - I think I'll head inside and get changed

[Lady Nessie] Is our seed no longer your home?

[TLOT] It's a bit overwhelming being around my followers all the time.

[Steve] Yeah they're adults, we don't have to micromanage what they do.

[CP] - Can I go fucking kill something now?

[TLOT] Heads for Markus's house- Well we're gonna go see Notch, I guess if you don't want to come you don't have too...

[CP] Glares at Nessie and then grumbles before following them-

[Stevie] Is approaching Notch's place-

[Steve] Hi Stevie! Going to visit your dad?

[Stevie] - Gonna see if he wants to join Alexis and I for dinner

[Notch] Is sitting outside on the lip of Lie's fountain, he's idly feeding the three koi fish swimming in it.

[Lady Nessie] This is the house of a Notch?

[CP] - When the fuck did we get fish?

[Flux] Steps outside-

[TLOT] Oh, I brought them over. I wouldn't have made them if Lie hadn't described them to me.

[CP] Grumbles, but his bite is quickly fading as his shoulders are a bit more noticeably slumped and he's taking care not to move his injured arm much-

[Notch] Hi guys.

[Doc] Is perched on the roof. Just listening quietly-

-Lie's dogs are excitedly crowding the fence nearby-

[Lady Nessie] Hurries up to him and examines him closely. She reaches out for him suddenly and meets enough resistance to fall back-

[Notch] Who are you? Don't grab at me!

[Lady Nessie] I am your priestess. My monastary is dedicated to your worship.

[Notch] Um....

[Flux] Her eyes narrow a little-

[CP] - Meet your biggest groupie

[Lady Nessie] My people are ready to defend your eminence at every turn. They are deadly even without weapons and can sniff out glitches in the world wherever they may hide.

[Notch] It's not nesessary really....

[Flux] - He needs no other protection

[Lady Nessie] That may be, but we are loyal. We know now the NOTCH we followed was a pretender. We are ready to pledge ourselves to the true Notch.

[CP] - Yeah good luck with that

[Stevie] - Father, what exactly is going on here?

[TLOT] They're glitch-finders. They're frighteningly good at fixing world errors without using any admin functions. She did me and Steve a great favor once and requested an audience with Markus.

[Lady Nessie] Blasphemer!

[Notch] Don't talk to my son that way!

[Lady Nessie] Son?

[Flux] - Yes, these two here are his sons, and you will find it very difficult to separate him from them

[Lady Nessie] Thou art father to a... glitch? - she hesitates, thinking of the garden- Very well. No raking is complete without scattering a few blossoms behind you. I accept that the world father is kin to the god of war.

[Stevie] - God of war?  Brother what have you gotten yourself into now!?

[TLOT] At Stevie- He helped kill our NOTCH, the Testificates on my seed added him and Lie to their pantheon in gratitude.

[Stevie] Groans-

[Steve] You should see the stuff they made of me and TLOT....

[Stevie] - No thank you, I can hazard a guess

[Flux] Moves closer to Notch-

[Doc] Imagine the cover of any given romance novel, except Steve's the girl.

[Lady Nessie] Will you visit your temple at least my lord? Address your followers?

[Notch] Is unsure-

[Flux] - He needs not go anywhere!- Her energy is starting to destabilize a little

[Lady Nessie] Who are you to speak for him?

[Flux] - I am Flux

[Lady Nessie] And I am high priestess of Notch, Lady Nessie, the greatest of all the glitch-finders. If you challenge me in combat I cannot guarantee your survival.

[CP] - She's my and Stevie's original server, I think she's got you out classed

[TLOT] Maybe, but she can reset glitches. I have a suspicion that could actually kill anyone who's severely errored.

[Flux] - But I am not errored, I am the physical embodiment of raw magic

[Notch] Please don't fight!

-A few blocks  beneath Flux are beginning to turn purple-

[Lady Nessie] You smell of overflow... a corruption...

[Flux] - You should learn to hold your tongue!

[Stevie] - Father...  Maybe we should move elsewhere...

[Lady Nessie] As should you... - she sweeps her dress into a buckle so her legs are exposed.

[Notch] Notices the turning blocks and scurries back-

[Flux] The edges of her body are turning more mist like-

[Doc] Hey! Watch the blocks! You're making a mess!

[Lady Nessie] Is in a ready pose- If you dare...

[Flux] Is surprised and looks down- My taint...  It would appear my energies have become unbalanced again...

[Flux] Shifts into her mist form, revealing small sickly looking tentacles beginning to creep up out of the taint-

[Lady Nessie] Does a long cutting sweep with the small bit of white light that's around her hands. There's a low sucession of odd noises-

-The tentacles fall leaving small purple balls of goo-

[Lady Nessie] Does a series of quick hand movements that makes the balls despawn- Too cowardly to actually fight me?

[Flux] Appears behind Nessie- Who says I have not already started- She temporarily drains the magic from the Nether star around Nessie's neck

[Lady Nessie] Does a spin kick that connects with Flux, there's a loud noise like a computer modem dialing up as the energies collide.

[Flux] Stumbles back a little, her eyes briefly flashing with anger-

[Notch] Gets between them and holds out his arms - STOP! - There's a shimmer in the air and for a moment a bubble is visible protecting him and Flux.

[Flux] - Notch...

[Doc] I think that's enough....

[TLOT] Lady Nessie... he doesn't want to go with you.

[Flux] - Please, stand aside Notch...

[Notch] No!  I'm sorry you lost your NOTCH, but I'm happy here.

[CP] - Ha!

[Notch] Not helping.... I want to stay here with my sons. I don't have any interest in leading.

[CP] - Stop calling me that!

[TLOT] Shush Cp

[Lady Nessie] But Lord!

[Notch] No. I may visit if it's that important to you, but this is my home.

[TLOT] I think that's enough for now. Doc can you take her back home?

[CP] - Double ha!

[Flux] Is glaring at Nessie-

[Doc] Come on, we're all tired and it's obvious Markus isn't interested. I'll take you home.

[Lady Nessie] Glares at Flux - Fix my star you reprobate!

[Flux] - What use do you even have for such an item?

[TLOT] it's special, Steve gave it to her after she helped us. He and I slew that Wither ourselves.

[Flux] - Very well- Flux steps closer to the priestess, reaching for the star

[Lady Nessie] Watches her archly, her jealousy apparent

[Flux] Barely touched the item for the glow to return to the star- I can remove so much more just as easily

[Lady Nessie] Then it is a blessing that I have no magic for you to remove. My abilities are inborn and honed skills.

[Flux] - But can the same be said of the items which surround you?

[Lady Nessie] Shrugs- we are a religious order, the land provides much without alteration.

[Flux] Her form is becoming less defined-

[Notch] Takes her shoulder gently- Flux, please...

[Doc] Uses hir tail to move Nessie backwards -  time to go

[Flux] Turns towards Notch, her form solidifying again-

[Lady Nessie] Very well then. - she allows Doc to lead her and the two head for the entrance to the cave again.

[TLOT] Well that was stressful...

[Flux] - That woman... She, made me feel odd...

[TLOT] That's kind of an ugly emotion you were experiencing. It's called jealousy.

[Notch] Flux....

[Flux] - Jealousy?

[TLOT] It means you feel possessive of Markus. Maybe that's where Cp gets it from.

[Flux] - Possessive, such an odd feeling...

[Notch] feels rather flattered, - you're really special to me too Flux

[Flux] - Special?  I'm not sure I understand...

[Notch] I have... Lots of warm feelings for you.

[TLOT] mentally to her- he's falling in love with you Flux.

[Flux] - Warm feelings...  Love...

[Notch] Hears the word and blushes a little

[Flux] - I'm still learning more on this concept of love...  I know certain physical interactions are involved with it as well...

[Notch] You enjoyed our kiss, didn't you? You don't have to do anything with me that makes you uncomfortable...

[Steve] Aawwww a first kiss? That's so sweet

[Flux] - The kiss was enjoyable

[TLOT] Somehow I think he'd be up for another if you're willing

[Notch] TLOT!

[Flux] - You'd want another?

[CP] Is making gagging motions out of sight-

[Notch] stammers a bit- Anytime!

[Flux] Leans her head into her hand- Interesting

[Notch] Puts his hand on top of hers gently-

[Flux] Her expression relaxes as she's touched and she slips her hand out from under Notch's-

[Notch] Puts his other palm on the opposite corner of her face and gets on his toes to be a bit more level with her-

[Flux] Gives him a curious expression-

[Notch] Hesistates before kissing her gently on the lips-

[Flux] Returns the kiss a little-

[CP] Gagging noises-

[Notch] Pulls back a little to make sure Flux is okay with it.

[Flux] - It is enjoyable

[Notch] A little dazed with love's blush- Same here.

[CP] - Laaaaaaaaaaaaaame

[TLOT] Samples a bit of the gooiest feelings of love that Markus is having and transfers a bit of it to Cp so he can experience it for himself-

[CP] Glares at TLOT-

[TLOT] Looks innocent-